Buffalo Bisons baseball – Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays

Biggest roster moves of the spring

Sowers was the Bisons 2006 Warren Spahn Most Valuable Pitcher while Laffey took the honor last season.

Sowers, 24, split last season with the Bisons and the Indians and was 4-5 with a 4.10ERA in 15 starts with Buffalo (96.2IP, 112H, 56R, 44ER, 24BB, 51K). In his final nine games from July 21 to the end of the season, the former 1st round draft pick was 4-1 with a 2.95ERA. He finished 3rd on the Bisons in innings pitched (96.2IP) and 5th in strikeouts (61).

In 2006, Sowers was 9-1 with a 1.39ERA in 15 games with the Bisons, leading the team in wins and finishing 3rd in innings pitched (97.1IP). When he was promoted from the Herd on June 23, 2006, he led all of Triple-A in ERA.

Laffey, 22, flew up the Indians system in 2007, starting the year at Double-A Akron before making his Major League debut. In between, the southpaw went 9-3 with a 3.08ERA in 16 games with the Bisons (96.1IP, 89H, 36R, 33ER, 23BB, 75K). He became the first Bisons pitcher in the Modern Era to win six games in a single month, going 6-0 with a 0.87ERA in June. He won his next three decisions, becoming the only starting pitcher in the Bisons Modern Era to win nine consecutive decisions. He finished the year 1st on the Bisons in complete games (2), T1st in wins (9) and quality starts (10) and 3rd in strikeouts (75).

Laffey was named IL Pitcher of the Week on August 9 and after the season was given the Bob Feller Award as the Indians Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

The Indians spring training Major League roster is now at 29 players and 6 non-roster invitees.

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